Seniors, law enforcement come together

Stacy Langley

Published 12:28 pm, Monday, April 25, 2016

TRIAD, developed by national organizations (American Association of Retired Persons, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and National Sheriffs' Association), is organized and operated at the county level.

Heading up the Huron County TRIAD program and Tuesday night's banquet was Deputy/Community Program Director Thomas Morneau of the Huron County Sheriff's Office. Morneau said locally TRIAD's mission is to bring law enforcement together with area senior citizens to enhance the delivery of law-enforcement services to older persons throughout the county.

One of the main reasons the TRIAD group feels the program is so important in Huron County is that seniors may be vulnerable since they often are isolated within the community and the lines of communication break down. Seniors often lose contact with law enforcement officials, but through TRIAD, Huron County law enforcement seeks to address and resolve this dilemma.

"Huron County is fortunate that we have a good quality of life and a relatively low rate of crime," said Huron County Sheriff Kent D. Tibbits. "However, we are not immune to problems in our county, and for this reason we are here to help."

TRIAD on the community level is implemented by a S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), which may include Huron County seniors, law enforcement, service organizations, civic clubs, clergy, media, health care professionals, and business and community members. The S.A.L.T. Council determines the needs of the communitys senior population.

Aside from local law enforcement and senior citizens, Tuesday night's banquet welcomed Huron County Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner, a representative from Congresswoman Candice Miller's Office, several Huron County Commissioners, and other elected officials including keynote speaker Sen. Jim Barcia, D-Bay City.

Barcia took to the podium sharing with the group an overview of many of the issues he's been working on this year as senator.

"We've been challenged this year," said Barcia, addressing the fact that the state has been struggling with reductions in funding -

something county officials attending Tuesday night were feeling as well.

Barcia told the group that aside from dealing with budget issues, he had plenty of good news for Huron County, which included trying to secure funding for the Sebewaing River dredging project that is expected to get under way later this summer.

Other good news Barcia shared with the group will have a broader impact. He said for the 32,000 people across the state who were ticketed and fined during a traffic stop for not having proof of insurance with them, they will be getting their money back.

Barcia also touched on how important funding for local police and fire protection is, as well as opposing the Central American Free Trade Agreement. It's a stance he said he will continue to take on the two issues.

For more information about Huron County TRIAD, call Morneau at the Huron County Sheriff's Office at (989) 269-6500.